Epitome of a Texas Ranger – Capt. John Wood

When I was a little girl growing up in Midland, my mother and I had breakfast at the Scharbauer Hotel every morning. Mother would then drive me to school and she would go to her office. There was a man named John Wood who also had breakfast there every morning. John was a tall, lanky, typical Texas Ranger. He was the first Texas Ranger I ever met and believe me, this little girl was impressed! He was kind, gentlemanly, jovial and dedicated to the performance of his duties. I had never known, much less been around any law enforcement officers so I was fascinated by the man and his aura.

One year I had but one birthday wish. I wanted to be allowed to miss school to attend a trial. I wanted to see how the courts worked. I told John this and he, with my mother’s permission, made arrangements for me to attend a trial in the 142nd Judicial District Court of Midland County. That day John was testifying and after he testified, they allowed him to sit in the courtroom with me while I watched every thing that happened. I took notes, and he diligently and patiently answered each of my questions during the breaks. That was the day I fell passionately in love – with the law.

As I grew older, I would follow his cases in the newspaper and I would ask him sometimes very pointed questions about an investigation. Oftentimes, he would smile and tell me it was an ongoing investigation and he couldn’t answer the questions – other times he would patiently explain things to me in great detail, always explaining the applicable law, the basis for the law and the elements required to prove a case.

In later years, John was transferred out of Midland and we did not cross paths again until August 1970 when Hurricane Celia hit Corpus Christi. This Midland girl had never experienced a hurricane and I was out walking, loving the wind and rain in my face when a Texas Highway Patrolman pulled up and told me it was far too dangerous for me to be out in the weather. He told me to get into the car and he returned me to my condo. As we drove, he asked where I was from and when I told him “Midland”, he asked if I knew a Texas Ranger named John Wood. I was thrilled to learn John was in Corpus too. The Trooper inquired to make sure I had the necessary supplies to weather the storm, then dropped me off with the admonition to stay inside where it was safe. The hurricane hit with force a short time after that. When everything settled, some hours later, there was a knock on my door. When I opened the door, there stood Texas Ranger John Wood! The Trooper had told him about meeting me and John came to make sure I was okay. He then took me to DPS Headquarters so I could call my frantic mother in Midland to let her know I had survived the hurricane and was okay.

In 1977, I moved to San Antonio and again I came across Captain John Wood. Ray and I attended his retirement party in 1978 at the Freeman Coliseum with Mary West. Over the years, I would see him at different functions, at the gym, in the grocery store. No matter how long it had been since we had seen each other, it was always like no time had passed. He always supported my endeavors, MADD in particular. He was very proud when the governor appointed me to serve on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards & Education and when he called to tell me how pleased he was, I took the opportunity to tell him that my love for law enforcement stemmed from a young girl in Midland idolizing a Texas Ranger named John.

To me, John was always bigger than life. He was a part of my Midland roots and some of my happiest memories. He fostered my love for law enforcement, the Texas Department of Public Safety in particular, and aided and abetted my love for the law as a whole.

Texas Ranger Captain John Wood passed away at the age of 99 on Tuesday. He was the oldest living Texas Ranger. My life is still influenced by John, from the days of sitting at breakfast listening to him talk about the law, about cases, about his deep faith in God.

To his wife Jewel, I send my sympathy, my love and my gratitude for sharing him with me and the State of Texas for so long. Rest in peace John. This Midland girl will never forget the impact you had on her life.

Top Videos

About Suzanne’s Blog

Suzanne Hildebrand, is the widow of retired SAPD Detective, retired District Attorney Criminal Investigator and Live Oak Mayor Ray Hildebrand who suffered a massive stroke in 2008 and died on July 23, 2010. Suzanne is the founder of MADD in Texas, was appointed to serve on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards & Education (TCLEOSE) by Governor Bill Clements, and currently serves on the Texas Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke appointed by Governor Rick Perry. She also served on the Bexar County Jail Population Committee. While Suzanne’s main passion is stroke care and issues, her blog also addresses patient care, grief, political issues and items of general interest.